REP LIEU APPLAUDS BIDEN EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CONVERSION THERAPY

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to develop guidance to block federal funding for organizations that practice conversion therapy. Rep. Lieu authored the first ban on youth conversion therapy in the nation as a California State Senator and has introduced legislation banning the practice federally in the 114^th, 115^th, 116^th and 117^th Congresses.

"President Biden's executive order to develop guidance to block federal funding for conversion therapy is fantastic news. I have been fighting to ban conversion therapy since my California statehouse days, and this week's news is a gigantic step forward in this effort. Conversion therapy is a fraudulent practice based on the lie that someone can—or should—change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Beyond that, it is a practice that stigmatizes the LGBTQ+ community and inflicts immeasurable harm on those subjected to it. In a time where we're seeing alarming state-level efforts to legislate away basic human rights, it's heartening to have a White House so firmly committed to protecting our LGBTQ+ community. I look forward to working with the White House to explore additional legislative options to eliminate this dangerous practice for good."

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